Day 158

1 Kings 2:1–3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25

IN OUR READING from 1 Kings, we said good-bye to King David as he breathed his last. We saw that once again, the transfer of power did not go smoothly for Israel’s kings. Solomon would need far more than political alliances and ingenuity to rule. This became very clear to him.

In the book of Acts, we continued to see the gospel move forward. Daily, the believers were being taught in the Temple complex, near Solomon’s Colonnade. People were finding healing, and the believers were held in high regard, although many observed from the sidelines because they were afraid of being ostracized by their religious leaders —for good reason.

The religious leaders burned with jealousy over the momentum Jesus’ message continued to gain, and they threw the apostles into jail. An angel freed the apostles, who went right back to sharing the Good News. The Sanhedrin rearrested them and dragged them before the high priest.

“We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” the high priest said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!” (Acts 5:28).

“We must obey God rather than any human authority,” Peter responded (Acts 5:29). He then took the opportunity to share the gospel with the most revered of Israel’s religious leaders.

Rather than considering Jesus as a continuation of their Jewish story and heritage, the religious leaders decided (as they had with Jesus) to kill the apostles. All but one of them, that is. Gamaliel was one of the leading Pharisees and was respected by all. One of his students was another Pharisee named Saul. Saul deeply opposed Jesus and had no idea he was on a collision course with a faith that would radically transform him into the apostle Paul.

“My advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go,” Gamaliel said. “If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!” (Acts 5:38-39).

In surprising ways, we saw God protecting those who chose to obey Him —despite intimidation —and we continued to get a firsthand look at how our faith took root, empowered by the Holy Spirit and the passionate witness of those who were willing to give their lives to bring light into the darkness.

MEDITATION:

Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.